Historic Re-enactments

Historic Re-enactments

What is it? 
Historic re-enactments are both educational and entertaining. Typically the re-enactments take the form of dressing up in a style from the past in order to focus on a particular theme or time period. These can take the form of participation events such as mock trials, industrial workplaces or Victorian schoolroom sessions through to observations of major rehearsed re-enactments such as battles. Battle re-enactments often take the form of combat demonstrations, which are generally performed by a company to members of the public and are loosely based around actual events with costumes, armour and weapons from the period in use. 

What does it involve?
The level of involvement differs depending on whether you would like to get your pupils involved in the re-enactment or not. If you are to be involved in the re-enactment then you will be brief by a member of the re-enactment team on what is expected of the pupils prior to the event. Pupils will often dress in appropriate clothing for the time period they are re-enacting and will learn historical facts as the re-enactment takes place. If you are watching a re-enactment you will simply sit and observe the show whilst learning about the specific topic, often being narrated by members of the performing troupe.

Why do it and what are the benefits?
Watching re-enactments will help students to learn about a given time period. Having a visual of a specific topic is far better than simply reading about it. Better still actually involving students in the re-enactment will help all pupils recall facts especially helping kinaesthetic learners. There is also a lot of fun to be had in the dressing up!

What equipment do we need?

As with most activities where you visit an establishment to try it, the venue should provide the majority of the equipment you'll need to participate. You should always check beforehand though, as some places may ask you come dressed appropriately for the specific activity.

Who is it suitable for?
Watching an historic re-enactment is a suitable activity for children of all ages. If the pupils are to be partaking in the re-enactment then activity is only suitable for children in key stage 2 and upwards.

Costs?
The cost of a re-enactment varies depending on the amount of pupils you wish to take and whether you will be watching or partaking in the activity. The length of the re-enactment session will also have an impact on cost. Some venue such as castles and museums hold regular re-enactments so it may be worth looking at tying in your trip with a visit to an educational venue. Please research various providers in your area to find the best value offering.

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Simply watching an historic re-enactment poses little to no risk however some students may be sensitive to particular realistic recreations of battle scenes. If you are partaking in a re-enactment it is important to listen to any safety briefings given by the organisation. As with any school trip it is important you take any student specific medication with you if the re-enactment takes place off the premises.

How do we include?
Many venues now cater for pupils with physical disabilities. Please consult specific venues in your area to find out more about what they are set up for.

Doing it abroad?
There is a very big historical re-enactment scene in the united states however they often focus on events relevant to American history so may not be relevant to the Curriculum.

Main website: 
For more information on Historic re-enactments please click here.

It is a good idea to research venues in your area before the trip.

Venues with this Activity

Bassetlaw Museum was created in 1983. Over the following years its collections have quickly grown due to generous donations by local people. The collections include local history, archaeology, decorative and fine art, agriculture, costume and textiles.

The museum reconstructs the conditions in educational establishments that taught impoverished children in 1800s Britain. On display, there are numerous unique items, such as desks, ink bottles, and slate boards, as well as objects relating to contemporary leisure and work life. The museum’s crowning glory is its Victorian classroom!

If you’ve always dreamed of travelling in time, this museum is ideal for you

The Geffrye collects objects, images and texts in order to explore the history of English homes from 1600 to the present day.

See and hear the fascinating world of mechanical musical instruments.

That magical musical atmosphere that has been lost and forgotten in today's digital age.

In addition to our two theatre organs, the Organ Theatre contains a unique collection of mechanical (self-playing) musical instruments that our founder, Mr. Charles Hart, began collecting nearly half a century ago.

Visit one of Scotland's most impressive ruined castles

Visit Dunnottar Castle for an unforgettable experience. A dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress in a truly stunning setting. 

Thornborough Henges are three neolithic sites where standing stones were sited. They are amongst the most important such sites in Britain and are aligned in the same off-centre alignment seen at other triple-circles in England.

Dunfermline’s fastest growing visitor experience

Hugh Miller's Birthplace Cottage & Museum in Cromarty celebrates prominent 19th-century Highland polymath, Hugh Miller - an eminent geologist, writer and social commentator.

Jedburgh Castle Jail gives visitors a taste of what life was like in an 1820s prison, whilst also telling the story of the Royal Burgh of Jedburgh. 

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.

The Tower of London was constructed in 1066 immediately after the Norman Invasion led by William the Conqueror, with the White Tower being built in 1078. It was then expanded under Kings Richard I, Edward III and Edward I.

A medieval tower house in the centre of Stranraer

Built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in Wigtownshire, over the centuries the Castle has been used as a home, a local court, a military garrison and a prison.

Videos and reconstructions are used to tell the story of:

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland's favourite poet.

Built in 1776, the former parish church in Saltcoats, houses our principal museum collection.

17th century flour mill and ancillary buildings on riverside site

17th century flour mill and ancillary buildings on riverside site. Exhibitions telling the story of country life from 1800 to the present day. Collection of costume, furnishings and memorabilia.

Arbroath Abbey was originally founded for the grey-clad monks of the order of Tiron in 1178 by King William the Lion. It was St Thomas of Canterbury's apparent supernatural intervention in the capture of King William at Alnwick in 1174 that prompted him to establish the abbey after his return from imprisonment in Normandy.

The Club is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic vehicles, researching and sharing their history and enabling everyone to develop their related interets.  The Club welcomes new members and visitors.

Visitors are welcome daily from 1 April to 
30 September, 10am to 2pm. Entry is by donaton.

This beautiful Georgian house was built in the 18th century for David Erskine, a judge of the Scottish Court of Session.

House of Dun is just 3 miles from Montrose and its picturesque unspoilt beaches and around 45 minutes' drive from Aberdeen.

Founded in 1871, the Falconer Museum is one of the oldest in the district. The museum houses a wealth of Moray’s heritage and features displays on local history, social history, geology and archaeology.

Witness History at Scotland's Living 19th Century Prison

Experience the atmosphere, brought vividly to life by the warders,matron and prisoners as you wander through this unique location. Interest and excitement for all ages.

Castle House Museum, a B-listed building, displays the story of Cowal through geology, archaeology and artefacts

Castle House Museum, a B-listed building, displays the story of Cowal through geology, archaeology, Celts and clans. There are special displays of Clyde steamers and the Clyde in two World Wars. Four rooms, parlour, kitchen, study and nursery show life in Victorian times. Video area. Full disabled access.

Once, Scotland had thousands of “townships”, small farming communities where groups of families worked together. Then, two hundred and fifty years ago, the world began to change.

The townships were replaced by modern farms, crofting and large estates. In some places the process was known as the Highland Clearances. A few townships remained, but most of these had gone by 1900.

The heritage centre is within the town library. Displays focus on the area’s strong 17th century covenanting heritage and the rise and fall of local heavy industries in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Social History

These collections are wide ranging in most aspects of social history:

A great day out for the whole family whatever the weather

History of the County Regiment from 1702 to present date including a fine display of medals, uniforms and weapons plus a superb research facility manned by willing volunteers.

Housed in one of only two existing Keeps, a landmark, Grade II building in the Town of Bodmin, constructed at the time of the Napoleonic threats.

Experience life as it was over 100 years ago through the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a recreated Victorian Town

Blists Hill is an open-air museum, one of ten museums operated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, built on a former industrial complex. It is one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums. Enjoy a truly memorable day out at this recreated Victorian Town. An enjoyable way for all ages to discover more about Victorian life.

Discover a world where costumed characters demonstrate life in the industrial age

26 acres of open-air museum, comprising village, live period craft, underground mining experience and tram rides, plus plenty more. Our award-winning corner of the West Midlands is now one of the finest and largest museums in the United Kingdom. 

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